(This article was first published
in the Brushwood Gulch
Gazette in 1990)

As the holidays approach us, there comes
a sobering reality that this is the first Christmas that
Henry Brandon won't be with us. Henry, of course, created a
memorable character for the role of evil Silas Barnaby in
Babes in Toyland. This feature film for Laurel and Hardy is
rich in holiday spirit, fantasy and the pursuit of good over
evil. Old man Barnaby was the perfect foil for Laurel and
Hardy.

When Hal Roach cast Henry Brandon for the
part of Barnaby, he wanted an evil character "larger than
life" for the film. Roach discovered Henry performing on
stage as Lawyer Cribbs in the famous melodramatic play; "The
Drunkard." Henry gave a convincing portrayal of a cunning,
slightly sadistic, old villain in his lead part.

A very young Henry Brandon was summoned
to Hal Roach's office to be interviewed about the role of
Silas Barnaby for the soon to be produced Babes in Toyland.
Roach was surprised to see a 21 year old virile, well
postured young man enter his office. "You're not the old
Son-of-a-Bitch that I saw the other night," said Roach.
Amazed at Henry's character portrayal, he was signed to a
contract to perform the part that would forever typecast him
as one of the screens best villains.

In later years, Henry would often
entertain members of the Sons of the Desert about the making
of "Babes" and his interactions with Stan and Ollie while on
the set. He was always in demand for Son's functions,
especially around the holidays when "Babes" was feature
entertainment for tent meetings.

For the next 56 years after its original
release, Henry Brandon must have viewed "Babes" hundreds of
times in varying lengths. Even though this was his first
film,, by mere repetition, his enthusiasm for watching his
image appeared to be very trying for him. Or was it?

To get Henry to sit through "Babes" or
even a few clips, could be an ordeal in itself. Henry would
usually protest loudly, "OH NO! YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SHOW
THAT AGAIN, ARE YOU?" How could he be surprised? The showing
of "Babes" was almost as big a holiday tradition to Son's as
Santa Claus is. Despite his verbal protest and seeming
disinterest, Henry extended himself every year to many tents
during their showing of Babes in Toyland.

What would it be like to sit with and ask
questions of Henry during a screening? I had that pleasure
once in a 1988 Way Out West-Christmas theme tent meeting.
Traveling some 400 miles from the Monterey/Carmel area to
the meeting place of the Mayflower Club, Henry invited me to
have an English beer. As we sat down to talk, the film
started. We were surrounded by tent members, but Henry and I
were the only ones at that particular table.

Henry sensed the 150 people (or so) in
attendance watching him to see his reactions during the
screening of "Babes." Henry didn't disappoint them, he
pretended to fall asleep while facing the opposite direction
of the screen. While all of us were caught up with the
Barnaby character and his manipulative dealings, he started
snoring. A stage snoring to show an indifference to the
entertainment.

I knew he was pretending to be asleep,
because every now and then, he would repeat a word or a line
that Ollie would be saying in the appropriate Georgian
accent. He seemed to key in on Ollie's diction and was
amused by it.

Every time Barnaby's image appeared
(preceded by his signature theme music), the crowd would
hiss and boo in proper melodramatic fashion. Henry ignored
reacting to this, except for demonstrating a perpetual scowl
of villainy on his face.

When the climax of the movie unfolded;
the assault of the wooden soldiers upon Barnaby's Bogey Men,
the audience got caught up in the triumph over evil, and
applauded the retaking of Toyland. Henry was now stirring in
his seat. The tension of the battle built until the Three
Little Pigs took direct action against Barnaby. On each end,
they held a rope tautly to trip and conquer retreating Bogey
Men. The tent members burst into a spontaneous cheer when
Barnaby fell over the hand held rope and was subdued with a
violent bonk on the brain by a balloon.

Because of the crowd's ovation to
Barnaby's demise, Henry bolted up to his feet and in
character, snarled and yelled, "BAAH!" to the audience, much
to their delight. He then walked over to the bar to get
another beer. No one walked near him.

Over the years the Barnaby character has
proven to be more than a one dimensional melodramatic
villain. Henry's acting ability shaped the Barnaby character
into something that has us asking questions: Why was Barnaby
such a bitter old man? How did he acquire his wealth? How
did he become in league with the Bogey Men?

The Barnaby character at three different
times in the film, displayed tender, humble, and
appreciative qualities. When Barnaby intends to court Little
Bo-Peep, he brings with him a bouquet of flowers to "Show my
deep devotion." In watching Barnaby propose to Bo-Peep, one
can sense humble sincerity when asking her to be his wife.
His darker side rebelled when he was rejected.

When Stan and Ollie brought a Christmas
gift to Barnaby, he was genuinely touched by their
thoughtfulness. He was not suspicious at all, despite the
fact that the present was delivered in July. Barnaby showed
great enthusiasm for the gift, especially because Stanley
explained that it was because "Ollie and I are sorry for
what happened..." (In a prior scene). Again, it was only
because he was duped, and trusted someone, that he reacted
in anger.

Barnaby again was outwitted by Stan and
Ollie during the wedding scene. Barnaby was very proud of
his soon to be new stature. So much so that he sought out
the friendship of Stan and Ollie by saying, "From now on,.we
are going to be 'veddy' good friends." Barnaby said that
sentence so sincerely, one might be led to believe that
perhaps he would have been a changed man. Of course, he was
again foiled and made a fool of by the boys. Proving there
is no fury like a spurned Barnaby, he declared war on
Toyland for the purposes of kidnapping the young girl he was
infatuated with.

Barnaby is not to be pitied. He pursued
what he wanted no matter who he hurt or got in his way. For
this he got what he deserved, a one way ticket out of
Toyland and into the crocodile infested moat.

During that evening, I had the chance to
point out to Henry Brandon my observations into the
complexity of the Barnaby character and the richness of the
role. He listened to me running down the many facets and
insights of Silas Barnaby, and then I asked for his opinion.
Henry thought for a moment and summed up the character
succinctly, "AAH, HE WAS JUST AN OLD FART."

We should feel fortunate that we can
still enjoy Barnaby's interactions each year with Laurel and
Hardy. It is hoped that their images are forever preserved
on celluloid. Love and hisses Henry.

Bill Cassara is the former Grand Sheik and
current Sheik-of-Police of
the Midnight Patrol Tent (Oasis #57, Monterey, CA).